Big Tiger Snake is captured in Sale

The capture of a massive Tiger Snake at Lake Guyatt in Sale at the weekend is a stark reminder not to be complacent about the reptiles, according to a Gippsland snake catcher.

This nearly two-metre long Tiger Snake, removed from Lake Guyatt in Sale at the weekend, was well camouflaged. Photo: Contributed

THE capture of a massive Tiger Snake at Lake Guyatt in Sale at the weekend is a stark reminder not to be complacent about the reptiles, according to a Gippsland snake catcher.

The almost two-metre long snake was captured by a licensed snake catcher on Sunday afternoon, after it was spotted sunning itself near the maze, not far from where children play.

Snake catcher Kathleen Cropley from Snakes Alive Gippsland said spring and the warmer weather had brought snakes out of hibernation, and they were “hungry and looking for love”.

She said she had also recently seen a Red-Bellied Black snake on the South Gippsland Highway.

“It’s a real reminder that people should be super vigilant when outside, as snakes are definitely out and about now,” she said.

“Snakes often just look like a piece of stick or a bit of grass, so people have to be aware that they are likely to be out there in the grass

“And it’s going to get worse, with the lack of rain and limited food availability such as frogs.”

Ms Cropley said it was lucky the tiger snake she caught on Sunday was “not very feisty”, and was easily captured and relocated.

Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, and can only be removed by a licensed snake catcher.

It is illegal to hurt or touch a snake, and fines apply.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning forest and wildlife officer Lachlan Clarke said recent sunny weather coincided with snake sightings, and more people were spending time in their gardens or in parks and forests.

“As people and snakes become more active it is quite possible they’ll encounter each other while enjoying the outdoors,” he said.